HB337 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Donnie ChesteenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Motor vehicles, following too closely, exemption provided, truck platoons, Dept. of Transportation, Secs. 32-1-1.1, 32-5A-89 am'd.

Summary

HB 337 defines a 'truck platoon' and lets trailing trucks in such platoons follow more closely than normal when electronically coordinated and approved by the Department of Transportation.

What This Bill Does

It creates a truck platoon concept and grants trailing trucks in a platoon exemptions from the standard 'following too closely' rule if the platoon meets certain requirements and uses electronic coordination. It preserves the general following-distance rule for other vehicles (20 feet per 10 mph) and requires long trucks to maintain sufficient space when following another long vehicle outside business or residence districts, with additional spacing rules for caravans and motorcades. The Department of Transportation would be allowed to adopt implementing rules, and the law would take effect a few months after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Truck drivers and trucking companies that operate or plan to operate truck platoons, as trailing drivers in a platoon meeting requirements would be exempt from the prohibition on following too closely.
• Other drivers and road users in Alabama, as standard following-distance rules remain in place for non-platoon traffic and platoon operations may change how closely trucks can follow each other when electronically coordinated and DOT-approved.

Key Provisions

• Truck Platoon defined as a group of commercial trucks traveling in a unified manner at electronically coordinated speeds with closer following distances than would be reasonable without coordination.
• Trailing trucks in a truck platoon are exempt from the 'following too closely' prohibition if the platoon meets certain requirements and uses electronic brake coordination and DOT-imposed rules.
• Amends existing following-distance rules by retaining the 20 feet per 10 mph standard and the 300-foot minimum when following another long vehicle outside business/residence districts, plus caravan/motorcade spacing requirements to allow entry for other vehicles.
• Department of Transportation may adopt rules to implement and administer the act.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles